Griffith (name)
Encyclopedia
Griffith, and its Welsh
form Gruffydd, is a name of Welsh origin that may be used as a personal name
or surname
, with or without the s as in Griffiths. The name has many variations as a result of the natural evolution of the name in Welsh, as well as the translation of the name from Welsh into both Latin and English. Griffith and Gruffydd are both considered as equally standard forms of the same name, the latter spelt in the Welsh language.
. Gruffudd of Old Welsh became spelt as Gruffydd in Middle Welsh and Modern Welsh of today. The peculiar vowel sound of u/y was lost entirely in South Wales and replaced by the i sound, and the form Griffidd became standard in the south, the region to first be encountered by Anglo-Norman scribes.
and into the modern era. The form of the name encountered in Latin texts is Griffith, Griffini and Gruffin.
Many variations have evolved since the Middle Ages and Tudor period, with many springing from abbreviated forms such as Griff.
Griffri, Griffith, Griffri, Griffyn, Griffei, Griffies, Griffitte, Griffits, Griffitts, Griffes, Griffyths, Gripthis, Gripphes, Griffithi, Griffen, Griffee, Griffey, Gruffudd, Gruffydd
Patronymics evolving from Griffith include Griffiths
and Griffyths, son of Griffith.
The name Gatehouse may have originated in some parts of Wales and the March from Gittose or a variant as a conscious effort to further anglicize the name.
Bibliography
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
form Gruffydd, is a name of Welsh origin that may be used as a personal name
Personal name
A personal name is the proper name identifying an individual person, and today usually comprises a given name bestowed at birth or at a young age plus a surname. It is nearly universal for a human to have a name; except in rare cases, for example feral children growing up in isolation, or infants...
or surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
, with or without the s as in Griffiths. The name has many variations as a result of the natural evolution of the name in Welsh, as well as the translation of the name from Welsh into both Latin and English. Griffith and Gruffydd are both considered as equally standard forms of the same name, the latter spelt in the Welsh language.
Evolution and history
One of the oldest forms which gave rise all other variations is Grippiud or Gripuid, which evolved into Old Welsh Griffudd. The second element of the name, iudd, as a noun has a meaning of 'lord' and is found in other Welsh names such as Meredith (Mared[i]udd) and Bleidd[i]udd. In North Wales Griffudd evolved into Gruffudd. “When u came to have the same quality as the clear y (the y of monosyllables and final syllables) the name generally became Gruffydd, and this is now regarded as the standard form,” according T.J. Morgan and Prys MorganPrys Morgan
Prys Morgan FRHistS FSA FLSW is a Welsh historian.He was born in Cardiff, the son of academic T. J. Morgan. Like his brother, Rhodri Morgan, Prys Morgan was educated at Whitchurch Grammar School and St John's College, Oxford. He then joined the teaching staff of the University of Wales, Swansea,...
. Gruffudd of Old Welsh became spelt as Gruffydd in Middle Welsh and Modern Welsh of today. The peculiar vowel sound of u/y was lost entirely in South Wales and replaced by the i sound, and the form Griffidd became standard in the south, the region to first be encountered by Anglo-Norman scribes.
Variations
Anglo-Norman scribes rendered Griffidd and Gruffydd as Griffith, with both Gruffydd and Griffith becoming the standardized forms for the same name since the High Middle AgesHigh Middle Ages
The High Middle Ages was the period of European history around the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries . The High Middle Ages were preceded by the Early Middle Ages and followed by the Late Middle Ages, which by convention end around 1500....
and into the modern era. The form of the name encountered in Latin texts is Griffith, Griffini and Gruffin.
Many variations have evolved since the Middle Ages and Tudor period, with many springing from abbreviated forms such as Griff.
Griffri, Griffith, Griffri, Griffyn, Griffei, Griffies, Griffitte, Griffits, Griffitts, Griffes, Griffyths, Gripthis, Gripphes, Griffithi, Griffen, Griffee, Griffey, Gruffudd, Gruffydd
Patronymics evolving from Griffith include Griffiths
Griffith (surname)
Griffith is a surname of Welsh origin which derives from the given name Gruffudd. The prefix Griff may mean "strong grip" and the suffix, udd, means "chief"/"lord". The earliest recorded example of the surname was "Gryffyth" in 1295, but the given name is older...
and Griffyths, son of Griffith.
Hypocoristic forms
Hypocoristic forms, or “pet names”, included Guto, Gutyn, Gitto, Getyn, Gitton, and Gutta, with many of these becoming surnames themselves. Derivations of Gruffydd by way of Guto/Gitto include Gittos, Gittose, Gittoss, Gittas, Gyttes, Gitts, Gytts, Gittus, Gitthouse, Gyttors, Gittonce, Gittal, Gittall, Gyttall, Gittall, Gethyn.The name Gatehouse may have originated in some parts of Wales and the March from Gittose or a variant as a conscious effort to further anglicize the name.
See also
- Griffith (name)
- Griffith (surname)Griffith (surname)Griffith is a surname of Welsh origin which derives from the given name Gruffudd. The prefix Griff may mean "strong grip" and the suffix, udd, means "chief"/"lord". The earliest recorded example of the surname was "Gryffyth" in 1295, but the given name is older...
- GriffithsGriffithsGriffiths is a surname with Welsh origins, as in Gruffydd ap Llywelyn Fawr. People called Griffiths recorded here include:* Albert Griffiths , better known as Young Griffo, boxing champion...
- Gruffydd (disambiguation)
- Gruffudd (disambiguation)
Bibliography